Cap 278 Signing Off: Top 10 Records Held by Ajinkya Rahane

When Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane posted his farewell message tagged with "Cap 278 signing off," it marked the conclusion of a distinguished international career. Known for his solid technique, calm temperament under pressure, and elite slip catching, Rahane served as a cornerstone of India's Test middle order for over a decade.

Beyond his dependable batting, Rahane built one of the most remarkable statistical portfolios in modern cricket. Here is a look at the top 10 verified records held by Ajinkya Rahane across Test cricket, captaincy, and the IPL.

Top 10 Records Ajinkya Rahane Has Across All Formats in Cricket

1. World Record: Most Catches in a Single Test Match (Non-Wicketkeeper)

In August 2015, Rahane created world cricket history during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. He took 8 catches in the match, surpassing the previous record of 7 catches shared by legends like Greg Chappell, Stephen Fleming, Matthew Hayden, and Yajurvindra Singh.

2. Joint World Record: Most Catches in a Single Test Innings

During the same 2015 Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle, Rahane plucked 5 catches in Sri Lanka’s second innings alone. This remains the joint-most catches taken by a fielder in a single Test innings in cricket history.

3. Highest Win Percentage as Indian Test Captain (Zero Losses)

Rahane holds a clean record as Test captain for India. Out of the 6 Test matches he captained, India won 4, drew 2, and lost 0. Among all Indian Test captains who led the national side in more than five matches, Rahane is the only one to maintain a 0% loss record.

4. First Player to Hit 6 Fours in an Over in IPL History

During the 2012 Indian Premier League season while playing for Rajasthan Royals, Rahane became the first batter in IPL history to hit six consecutive boundaries in a single over. He achieved this feat against Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler Sreenath Aravind on his way to a brilliant century.

5. First Indian Captain to Win a Test Match at The Gabba

Australia went undefeated at The Gabba in Brisbane for 32 years (1988 to 2020). In January 2021, Rahane captained an injury-hit Indian team to a historic 3-wicket victory in Brisbane, becoming the first and only Indian captain to win a Test at the venue.

6. First Batter to Score Twin Centuries in a Test at Kotla, Delhi

During the 4th Test against South Africa in December 2015, Rahane scored 127 in the first innings and an unbeaten 100 in the second innings. He became the fifth Indian player to score centuries in both innings of a Test match and the first batter ever to achieve this feat at the Arun Jaitley Stadium (formerly Feroz Shah Kotla) in Delhi.

7. First Indian Captain to Win a Test Match Inside 2 Days

In June 2018, Rahane led India in a single Test match against Afghanistan in Bengaluru. India wrapped up the victory by an innings and 262 runs before the second day concluded, marking the first time in Indian Test history that India won a match within two days.

8. First Overseas Test Series Win After Falling 0-1 Down

After India suffered a defeat in the opening Test of the 2020 to 2021 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide, Rahane took over the captaincy duties. Under his leadership, India rallied to win the series 2-1. It stands as the only time an Indian side won an overseas Test series after losing the first match.

9. 100% Win Rate as Indian ODI Captain

While primarily active in Tests, Rahane captained the Indian One Day International squad during a tour of Zimbabwe in July 2015. India swept the three-match series 3-0, giving Rahane a 100% win percentage as an ODI captain.

10. Led Mumbai to a Record-Extending 42nd Ranji Trophy Title

In March 2024, Rahane captained Mumbai to victory in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. The victory secured Mumbai's 42nd domestic first-class title, reinforcing Rahane's reputation as a domestic and international leader.

Ajinkya Rahane leaves behind a legacy defined by clutch overseas performances, exemplary slip catching, and an unmatched captaincy record when his country needed it most.

All Indian cricket fans will miss the player who can hit a six with pure timing and remain calm on the pitch even when facing strong opposition. Right now, we can see Shubman Gill playing that role somewhere for Indian Cricket in the Test format.